Alexander Makarowsky, a 2014 Nazareth Catholic College Graduate has demonstrated outstanding success. On 27 May at a ceremony held at St Marks College, Adelaide, the Nazareth Community were very proud to witness Former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Hawker family member Hon David Hawker AO present Alex and four other scholars from around Australia, with the The C.A.S. Hawker Scholarship valued at $60,000 over 4 years.
The C.A.S. Hawker Scholarship is one of the most generous privately funded scholarships available to undergraduate and post-graduate students in Australia. Since 1990 the Charles Allan Seymour Hawker Scholarship Trust Fund has awarded more than five million dollars to 109 young Australians. Scholarships are offered to capable students of principle and character, who have demonstrated a commitment to the wider community. Selection is based on personal qualities as well as academic ability.
During his time at Nazareth, Alex consistently won Academic Awards, highlighting and consolidating his considerable academic talent. He has also consistently been presented with Application Awards as a reflection of his continued dedication and commitment to his education. Alex has been on a clear trajectory to absolute excellence.
In 2014, Alex was one of Nazareth’s College Captains, and he took great pride in representing and dedicating his time to the school. He received the Nazareth ‘Principal’s Award’ and the ‘Nazareth Award’ in recognition of his dedication to the College and its values. In 2014 he also received the Archbishop of Adelaide's Award for Excellence.
His secondary school academic journey culminated with five merits earning him the SA Governor’s Commendation. With an ATAR of 99.95, he was College Dux.
Aside from Alex’s outstanding academic achievements, he has also been a student who openly contributed to the Nazareth Community, through actively participating in a wide variety of co-curricular activities. He immersed himself in a breadth of experiences including participation in numerous sporting teams and membership in clubs including debating and chess. He also developed a strong sense of social justice during his time at Nazareth, participating and leading initiatives including the World Vision 40 Hour Famine, the St Vincent de Paul can drive, Caritas fundraising week and Nazareth's own Quiz Night. He travelled to Bathurst Island as part of Nazareth’s NOW Outreach initiative last year. Together with other year 12 graduates, they ran a retreat program for youth of a disadvantaged community on the island.
Alex plan is to change the way we communicate with each other. He envisions building the protocols and networks which will allow every Australian to take full advantage of an accessible, world-class Internet. He also foresees developing or implementing new communications technologies to meet Australia’s ever-growing communication needs. He aspires to one day work for Engineers Without Borders Australia, to give impoverished communities outside of Australia access to proper communications.
“Some eight months ago, I accidentally discovered the Charles Allen Seymour Hawker memorial scholarships. Valued at $60,000 and described as ‘Australia’s Rhodes Scholarship’, I decided to apply, in one of the most serendipitously fortuitous moments of my life.
C.A.S Hawker’s life was both incredible and enthralling. A South Australian solider, pastoralist and statesman, Hawker served with distinction in World War I, and then went on to serve his country in a number of other inspiring ways. The CAS Hawker memorial scholarships were established to perpetuate the legacy of Charles Allen Seymour Hawker by providing tertiary students with educational opportunities. Through such opportunities, Hawker scholars aspire to serve their country in a manner similar to C.A.S Hawker” said Alex.
Alex is destined to make a significant contribution on the world stage. He is a rare individual of exceptional talent and is a well-deserved winner of a C.A.S. Hawker Scholarship. Alex, is a true credit to the Nazareth Catholic Community.
“I would like to thank Mr Tran, Mrs Arthur and the wider Nazareth Community for the references and experiences necessary to secure a Hawker scholarship. Three years of accommodation at St Mark’s College is life-changing: it is a world of friends, mentors, college traditions, academic guidance and surprises. I am humbled and infinitely grateful for this fantastic opportunity!”
For more information about the C.A.S Hawker Scholarship please visit the website
Twenty students from Catholic schools in South Australia have been named among the winners in two major state-wide Humanities competitions.
Earlier this year, senior school students from across South Australia were invited to enter the 2024 Premier’s Anzac Spirit School Prize and the Muriel Matters Awards.